Local gun sellers offer facts, straight from the hip

Friday

With guns in the news and politics on the minds of both gun owners and the anti-gun movement, local gun sellers explain some popular misconceptions and the procedure to purchase guns legally.

One day after President Barack Obama told a crowd in New Orleans that much work is left to be done in tackling the gun problem, a local gun store employee explained why law abiding citizens are asking more questions and are looking to protect themselves.

Dennis Phillips of Crystal Park Firearms and Tactical said sales have increased a little this week following the mass shooting in Aurora, Colo., but “interest is up a lot.”

In this election year, gun purchasers are expressing a fear that the government may eventually take away their right to purchase guns legally, he said.

“This is a turbulent time. It’s been going this way for years. Crime is growing and people are finally waking up and realizing that you need to (be able to) defend yourself,” said Phillips, 21, a student at Stark State College’s Law Enforcement Academy.

According to an Associated Press story, Obama told his audience, “I also believe that a lot of gun owners would agree that AK-47s belong in the hands of soldiers, not in the hands of criminals.”

Phillips said the media’s use of the words “high power,” “assault,” and “automatic,” usually is wrong or misleading.

HOLLYWOOD IMAGE

Assault weapons and machine guns are typically too expensive for an average gun owner, he said.

He pointed to rifles in the shop with unique handles and accessories that make them look ominous. He said he could understand banning fully automatic weapons, but, “these are not automatic weapons.”

He said the gun used in Aurora was not an assault gun, but a semi-automatic rifle that can be purchased legally in Ohio at age 18. It requires the shooter to pull the trigger for each round.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told the AP that Obama did not have plans to push for new legislation in light of the Colorado shooting.

“The liberties we have are slowly changing,” said Phillips, who hopes more people get armed and get their concealed carry licenses.

“You don’t get a CCL to go rob a store,” he said. “People with concealed carry licenses tend to be very law-abiding people.”

John Wynd, operations manager at Kames Sports in Lake Township, said the gun counter was busy this week, but that it could be attributed to their recent sale advertisement.

He agrees with Phillips that non-gun enthusiasts can be confused by the terms used in the media.

“The ‘assault’ word — we don’t use that here. That’s a Hollywood creation and people who are politically predisposed to be anti-gun,” he said.

NO WAITING

Another misconception, he said, is the idea that there is a waiting time to purchase a gun.

“Technology has made delays unnecessary, as a general rule,” Wynd explained.

When someone goes to a store to purchase a gun, the store contacts the National Instant Check System, which is operated by the FBI, either by phone or electronically.

Wynd said approval comes quickly after information about the purchaser is read to the agent.

“We are told right then if we can proceed. If there is a question, we’re transferred to an examiner who has access to a larger database,” he said. After that, the buyer is either approved, denied, or told the purchase is to be delayed five days. In those five days, more research will help make the decision.

In the case of buying guns at a gun show, Wynd says the sellers don’t require a storefront to be legitimate licensed gun dealers. Buyers don’t go through the typical background check, however, they are required to provide a photo ID and answer a series of questions under penalties of perjury.

Internet sales are legal, too, said Wynd, but the firearm must be mailed to a licensed dealer, like Kames. The dealer who receives the gun runs the NICS background check on the buyer. They receive a transfer fee for that service.

Another misconception about guns, added Phillips, is that they are a guy thing.

“God made men and women. Samuel Colt made them equal,” he said with a smile.

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